FR2696733A1 - Dosing device, dosing valve, dosing device at a rate of liquid. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a measurer for successively and rhythmically drawing off measured quantities of liquid from a reservoir (7), comprising a measurer body (26) intended to be mounted in a fixed manner with respect to the reservoir (7), characterised in that it comprises a drawing-off plunger (31) and means (32) of transmission of movement to drive this plunger (31) with an alternating motion in the liquid, resulting in the measuring of the liquid in one direction and in the pumping of the liquid in the other direction. The invention also relates to a measuring valve (8) comprising such a measurer and a measuring device comprising such a measuring valve.

Description

DOSER, DOSING VALVE, CADENCE DOSING APPARATUS

LIQUID

  The invention relates to the sequential dosing and timing of predetermined amounts of liquid taken from a tank, each amount of liquid metered being poured into a container such as a bottle, a box or other. In industrial installations handling, treatment or series filling containers such as bottles, boxes or other high speed, it is sometimes essential during the conveying of containers, to inject into each container a predetermined dose Often, this dose is of low volume (typically between 0.1 ml and 10 cl), and the liquid is aseptic because intended for human or animal consumption or the composition of products

hygienic or pharmaceutical.

  The containers being treated in large series at very high speed, the problem arises to be able to have an automatic dosing device that achieves doses of very low quantity liquid, at very high speed, with

  high accuracy and reliability.

  Known metering devices are either entirely manual, ie maneuvered by a person, and do not have the reliability and precision required, or include electromechanical, electronic or even computer devices extremely complex and expensive and delicate to adjust in operation And these known electronic or computer devices are poorly compatible with handling facilities, processing or filling cylinders that are essentially mechanical and may therefore include inaccuracies or operational hazards Also, devices operating at the electricity are poorly compatible with the liquid environment of such facilities

  handling, treatment or filling of containers.

  Various types of liquid metering pumps are also known that suck a predetermined quantity of liquid from one pipe and then discharge it into another pipe. However, these pumps are also not perfectly compatible with high speed operation, for very small quantities, and do not have sufficient precision and reliability. For example, the only wear of the seals causes

  a crippling variation of the volume pumped and dosed.

  The invention therefore aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a metering device, a metering valve comprising such a metering device, and a metering device comprising such a metering tap, which allow the successive dosing and at a high rate of small quantities of liquid with a metering device. perfect dynamic precision in the operation of the dosed volume whatever the operating conditions, and a

high reliability over time.

  The object of the invention is also to propose such a completely mechanical and completely

  electronic or electro-mechanical device.

  The invention also aims at providing such a metering device, metering valve and metering device which are extremely

  simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

  The object of the invention is also to propose such a metering device, dosing valve and dosing device which are compact, especially in a horizontal plane, extremely small so that they can be incorporated anywhere in a handling, treatment or

  container filling at high speed.

  The invention also aims at providing such a doser, metering valve and dosing device that can operate not only at high speed, but at a variable rate at any time and randomly, while nevertheless ensuring the dosage of each container with a

high accuracy.

  The object of the invention is also to provide such a metering device, metering valve and metering device which may, for example, measure quantities between 0.1 ml and 10 cl of liquid with an accuracy of less than 10%, in particular of the order of 2. % for rates that may vary from 0 to

000 containers per hour.

  The invention also aims at simultaneously proposing a doser, metering valve and dosing device which are compatible with the use of aseptic liquids such as food or pharmaceutical materials, and which can therefore be easily cleaned, which are designed to prevent any development infections, which can

be completely purged.

  Finally, the invention aims to propose a dosing device that allows a dose adjustment during treatment.

uninterrupted production.

  To do this, the invention relates to a metering device for sampling successively and in cadence doses of liquid from a tank, a doser which comprises a metering body intended to be fixedly mounted relative to the tank, and which is characterized in that it comprises a sampling plunger which is mounted movable relative to the metering body and intended to be immersed in the liquid, and means for transmitting movements to animate the plunger of a reciprocating movement in the generating liquid in one direction the dosage of a quantity

  predetermined liquid, and in the other its pumping.

  The use of an immersion plunger immersed in a metering device according to the invention notably provides the advantages of being able to operate at a very high rate with very small quantities taken out, of allowing extremely simple synchronization with the training of the containers intended to receive the liquid, while allowing the operation under hygienic and aseptic conditions perfect without electrical, electronic or computer. According to the invention, the sampling plunger is hollow, provided with an opening for introducing the liquid into a sampling chamber which communicates with an outlet channel formed in the metering body, and the plunger carrying a shut-off valve. of the opening arranged to be open in the direction of the movement generating the metering, and closed in the direction of the movement generating the pumping The shut-off valve is, according to the invention, of the type controlled by the pressure of the liquid generated by the In particular, according to the invention, the valve is constituted by a shutter mounted freely sliding or

  pivoting relative to the plunger in the chamber.

  The reciprocating movement of the sampling plunger in the liquid can be of any kind, that is to say, be carried out in any direction and be a translation movement and / or any rotation Preferably and according to the invention, this reciprocating movement is a movement

vertical translation.

  According to the invention, the dispenser has a leakage section which is smaller than the section of the opening when the valve is open, and which is formed between the sampling chamber and the outside of the plunger in contact with the liquid in the The purpose of this leakage section is to allow the reciprocating movement of the plunger to be maintained in the liquid even though the outlet channel is otherwise closed. This leakage section, which is, for example, less than and according to the invention at the tenth of the section. of the opening can be achieved simply by the transverse play of the guide contact between the outer surface of the plunger which is in the form of piston and the guide surface of a housing formed in the metering body to guide the plunger Thus, no seal is only used between the plunger

  and the guide housing of this plunger.

  According to the invention, the dispenser comprises motor means for creating the movement of the plunger in at least one direction of movement in particular only in one direction, the other direction of movement being transmitted from a movement created outside the According to the invention, the motor means create the movement of the plunger in the direction generating the dosage, and are

consisting of a return spring.

  The motion transmission means of a dispenser according to the invention comprise a rod rigidly associated with the plunger and extending through the sampling chamber and the outlet channel to cooperate on the one hand with the motor means and on the other hand share with an organ

mobile outside the doser.

  According to the invention, the cross section of the sampling chamber is larger than the cross section of the introduction opening and the cross section of the outlet channel. Moreover, the cross section of the exit channel decreases from sampling chamber, up to the end of

  output channel exit from the metering body.

  With a metering device according to the invention, it will be noted that the speed and the pressure of the metering do not depend on the rate of metering since the metering device comprises motor means in the form of the return spring. not affected when changing

  the cadence or that cadence becomes extremely high.

  In addition, the simplicity of operation and constitution of the dispenser, in particular without seal, provides high reliability of operation and a lifetime

extremely long.

  The invention also relates to a metering valve for sampling and discharging successively and in time predetermined quantities of liquid including aseptic liquid such as a liquid food, cosmetic or pharmaceutical from a reservoir in containers of any kind (bottles, boxes, flasks,) placed successively and in rhythm under a spout of this metering valve, characterized in that it comprises at least one metering device according to the invention whose outlet channel communicates with a spill channel formed in a valve body The mouth of the dispenser and the outlet channel define a continuously rising or partially horizontal path between the introduction opening of the plunger plunger and the spout. In this way, the liquid circuit between the tank and the beak has no low points or high points in which nests

infections could be created.

  According to the invention, the metering valve comprises a pouring shutter interposed on the spill channel in the body of the tap and which is controlled at the opening when a container is opposite the spout, and

  the closure when no container is facing the spout.

  Thus, in a metering valve according to the invention, the dosing and pumping operation of each quantity of liquid is entirely independent of the control operation of the liquid spill into the container. Therefore, each operation can be performed by means In particular, this is allowed thanks to the leakage section of the dispenser since the dispenser can continue to function even when

  the spill channel is closed.

  According to the invention, the discharge shutter is controlled at the opening by a movable control member moved during the establishment of a container opposite

  spout, and closing by a return spring.

  Also, the metering valve according to the invention comprises a non-return valve interposed between the discharge shutter and the dispenser outlet channel, and preventing the flow of liquid in the direction of return to the reservoir The non-return valve thus avoids the defusing of the metering valve in case of stoppage or disassembly of the metering device with respect to the body of the tap, and preserves general hygiene and

asepsis.

  In a metering valve according to the invention, the metering device is rigidly associated with the valve body to ensure the continuity of the discharge channel and the outlet channel of the metering device, but in a removable manner to allow disassembly and change of the metering device. the invention, the valve body is connected to the body of the metering device by means of a connection And this connection comprises means of rigid association removable to the reservoir Preferably and according to the invention, this connection forms a mounting bracket common of the metering body and the valve body relative to the reservoir According to the invention, this

  fitting includes the check valve.

  Also, the invention relates to a metering apparatus for sampling and discharging, successively and at a rate, predetermined quantities of liquid, in particular aseptic liquid, into containers driven successively and in rhythm by driving means, this metering apparatus comprising a frame forming reservoir for the liquid and being characterized in that it comprises at least one metering valve according to the invention mounted on the frame so that each metering device has its sampling plunger immersed in the liquid contained in the reservoir Thus, a metering device according to the invention consists generally of a tank forming structure carrying at least one metering valve comprising a sampling plunger immersed in the liquid and reciprocated in this liquid to generate dosing and pumping in

rate of quantities of liquid.

  According to the invention, the operation of the plunger of a metering device of a dosing apparatus is controlled at least partly from the movement of the means for driving the containers, a predetermined quantity of liquid being taken at the rate of

  operation of these drive means.

  In a dosing apparatus according to the invention, one of the movements of the sampling plunger in one direction is controlled from the movement of the means for driving the containers, and thus synchronized with this movement, while the other movement of the sampling plunger, that is to say the movement in the other direction, is controlled by clean motor means and integrated to each metering device for example in the form of a return spring In this way, it ensures all at once the synchronism of the dosage with respect to the rate of the drive means of the containers and the precision with regard to the quantity of liquid poured into each container, and whatever the rate According to the invention, the dosing movement is controlled from the movement of the means for driving the containers and the pumping movement

  is controlled by the return spring.

  And the metering apparatus according to the invention comprises a control cam intended to cooperate with a pad or roller of each metering device to generate the metering movement, the cam and the frame forming the reservoir being mounted to move relative to each other. the other according to a relative movement generated by the drive means of the containers And according to the invention, the control cam is rigidly associated with the frame via means for adjusting the distance between the control cam of the dosers This adjustable distance makes it possible to modify the amplitude of the stroke of the sampling diver in the liquid and therefore the volume of the

  dosed amount, including during operation.

  According to the invention, the tank frame has projections intended to be engaged in the openings or openings of a movable member means for driving the containers to drive the frame in motion, the control cam being associated fixed (but Adjustable way) to a fixed support Thus, in a dosing device according to the invention, it is the entire frame forming the reservoir and carrying the metering valves which is movable and driven in movement. invention is in the shape of a carousel, the tank being in cylindrical central position of revolution, its frame comprising a peripheral support ring

  a plurality of regularly distributed dispensing faucets.

  The feeders extend vertically along and inside the cylindrical and vertical walls of the tank, and the frame is extended upwards by an extension, the control cam being a circular cam rigidly associated with a guide bearing of the extension.

above the doser.

  The invention also relates to an installation for the handling, treatment or series filling of containers of any kind such as bottles or the like, characterized in that it comprises at least one metering device according to the invention. installation according to the invention comprises a metering device rigidly associated above a platen of a rotating star input or output of a carousel of

  handling, treatment or filling of containers.

  The invention also relates to a metering device, a metering valve, a metering device and a handling installation comprising in combination all or some of the features mentioned above or below. In particular, the invention relates to a metering device comprising in

  combination of a leakage section as mentioned above.

  and independent autonomous motor means integrated in this dispenser to generate the movement of the plunger in a

  meaning, especially in the direction of pumping.

  Other features and advantages of the invention

  will appear on reading the following description of a

  of its preferred embodiments given solely by way of nonlimiting example, and which refers to the appended figures in which: FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a

metering valve according to the invention.

  FIG. 2 is a partial vertical sectional view of a dosing apparatus according to the invention

  illustrating two operating positions.

  FIG. 3 is a partial vertical sectional view of a dosing apparatus according to the invention

  illustrating two other operating positions.

  FIG. 4 is a view along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3 of a metering device according to the invention after it has been installed on an entry or exit star of a carousel for handling, treatment or filling.

of containers.

  FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of a dosing device according to the invention installed on a

  carousel entry or exit star.

  The invention relates to a dosing apparatus 1 for sampling and discharging successively and at a rate of

  predetermined amounts of liquid in containers 2.

  The dosing apparatus 1 according to the invention is more particularly suited to the dosing of aseptic liquids such as food, cosmetic or pharmaceutical liquids or the like, but could also be applied to other liquids, for example additives to petroleum products, components of chemical compositions such as detergents, paints or other Aseptic liquid example include food additives (flavors, liqueurs, dyes, preservatives,) or even food liquids themselves in the state of Finished products such as beverages, sauces The invention is applicable more particularly to liquids in homogeneous or colloidal solution but can also be used for

  liquids with some heterogeneity.

  The nature of the container itself does not matter in the context of the invention which is therefore applicable to all sizes and all types of containers, whether glass or plastic bottles, boxes , jars, flasks, cans, vats Containers 2 are generally driven successively and in rhythm by means 3 drive In the example shown in the figures, the drive means 3 consist of a star rotary entry or exit of a handling carousel, treatment or filling of containers formed in a manner known per se of at least one plate 3 in the general shape of a ring provided with peripheral housing 4 for receiving the containers 2 This plate 3 is driven in rotation about a vertical axis 5 by motor means not shown, for example consisting of an electric motor or hydraulic carousel or own star. The dosing apparatus 1 comprises a main frame 6

  which forms a reservoir 7 for storing the liquid concerned.

  The dosing apparatus 1 according to the invention comprises at least one metering valve 8 which is mounted integral with the frame 6. In the examples shown, the metering device 1 comprises a plurality of metering taps, FIG. 4 representing the example of eight dispensing valves regularly distributed The dispensing device 1 shown is in the form of a carousel itself, the reservoir 7 being in the lower central position, its frame 6 having a peripheral ring 9 for supporting the eight metering valves

  8 regularly distributed angularly.

  FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the example of an installation according to the invention in which the metering apparatus 1 is rigidly associated above a plate 3 of a rotating star of entry or exit of a carousel

  handling, treatment or filling of containers.

  To do this, the frame 6 forming the reservoir 7 has vertical projections 10 oriented downwards from the lower wall 11 of the reservoir 7 These projections 10 are engaged in the slots or orifices 12 of vertical axis of the movable plate 3 , so that the rotational movement of this plate 3 is transmitted directly to the

  frame 6 via protrusions 10.

  The frame 6 is extended upwards vertically beyond the peripheral ring 9 by an extension 12 maintained and guided in rotation about the vertical axis 5 by a guide bearing 13 mounted on a support bracket 14 fixed relative to the The liquid is fed into the reservoir 7 through a feed tube 15 engaged at the upper free end of the extension 12 which is hollow The feed tube 15 extends vertically through the extension 12 to the portion In addition, the level of liquid in the reservoir 7 is kept constant by a probe 16 carried by a support 18 fixed with respect to the ground and extended downwards by a probe tube 17 which also extends through the extension 12 to the lower central portion of the reservoir 7 The probe 16 controls the operation of an electrovalve 19 which controls the flow of the liquid through the feed tube. The dispensing apparatus 1 according to the invention therefore comprises a lower central reservoir 7 and means 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 for holding in this reservoir.

  7 a liquid level above a predetermined threshold.

  The tank 7 is also provided with a drain valve

  in its central lower extremity.

  Each metering valve 8 makes it possible to take and discharge successively and in rhythm a predetermined quantity of liquid in each container placed successively and in rhythm under a spout 21 of this metering valve 8 Each metering valve 8 comprises at least one metering device 22 comprising a channel 23 at the outlet of which each dose of liquid is ejected from the dispenser in a spill channel 24 formed in a valve body carrying the spout 21 and communicating with the outlet channel 23 The spill channel 24 opens out of the spout 21 which is directed towards the opening of the containers 2 The liquid leaves the

metering valve 8 through spout 21.

  Each feeder 22 comprises a metering body 26 intended to be fixedly mounted relative to the reservoir 7. This metering body 26 is generally cylindrical and extends vertically through a circular light 27 of an at least substantially horizontal wall 28 of the frame 6. which covers the reservoir 7 in the manner of a cover This wall 28 of the frame 6 is extended beyond the cylindrical peripheral wall 29 of the frame 6 forming the reservoir 7 by the peripheral ring 9 for supporting the valves

dosers 8.

  The doser body 26 extends vertically under the cover wall 28, so that its lower end portion 30 is immersed in the liquid contained in the

tank 7.

  Each metering device 22 comprises a sampling plunger 31 mounted to move relative to the metering body 26 and immersed in the liquid. The metering device 22 further comprises means 32 for transmitting movements to animate the plunger 31 in a reciprocating movement in the generating liquid. in one direction the dosage of a predetermined quantity of liquid, and in the other its pumping in

direction of the exit channel 23.

  According to the invention, the outlet channel 23 of the metering device 22 and the discharge channel 24 define a continuously rising or partially horizontal trajectory between an opening 33 for introducing the liquid into the plunger 31 of the metering device 22 and the spout 21. , the liquid flow duct between the reservoir 7 and the spout 21 has no high point or low point

accumulation of liquid or air.

  Each metering valve 8 comprises a discharge shutter 34 interposed in the spill channel 24 and controlled at the opening when a container 2 is opposite the spout 21 and at the closure in the opposite case, it is at

  say in the absence of container 2 under the spout 21.

  The spill shutter 34 consists of a vertical axis cylindrical valve 35 extending into a vertical portion 36 of the spill channel 24. The lower end of this vertical portion 36 is narrowed to form a seat 37 for the valve 35. , the diameter of this seat 37 being smaller than the outer diameter of the valve 35 The valve 35 is carried at the free end of a vertical valve stem 38 which extends downwardly through a vertical bore 39 formed through The lower free end 40 of the valve stem 38 is rigidly associated with a pin 41 projecting out of the valve body vertically and downwardly. The pin 41 slides vertically relative to the valve body 25. in a vertical wall guide housing 42, and forms a lower abutment 43 for supporting a compression spring 44 placed around the valve stem 38. The other end of the spring 44 is supported on an upper shoulder 45 secured to the valve body 25 In this way, the pin 41, the valve stem 38 and the valve 35 are permanently returned downwards by the return spring 44 which therefore controls the shutter 34 In the embodiment of FIG. 1, there is provided a guide ring 46 interposed between the valve stem 38 and the valve body 25 and forming the upper shoulder 45 for the spring 44. The guide ring 46 is extended downwards to form the guide housing 42, and is therefore also interposed

  between the pin 41 and the valve body.

  The discharge shutter 34 is controlled at the opening by a control member 47 movable relative to the valve body 25 and moved during the introduction of a container 2 facing the spout 21 This control member 47 is consisting of a shoe 47 hinged relative to a support 48 mounted on the valve body 25 and / or on the frame 6 The shoe 47 is articulated to its support 48 about a horizontal axis 49 This horizontal axis49 pivoting of the shoe 47 control is located in a vertical plane interposed between the vertical axis 50 of sliding of the valve stem 38 and the vertical axis 51 of the spout 21 The control shoe 47 has a face 52 extending slightly inclined relative to the horizontal axis between the pivot axis 49 of the shoe 47 and the reservoir 7 to come into contact with the stud 41 The center of gravity of the shoe 47 is arranged in such a way that the face 52 of contact with the stud 41 is brought into contact of this nipple 41 by the simple weight s of the shoe 47 which generates a couple of rotation

  of this shoe 47 around the pivot axis 49.

  The shoe 47 also has a face 53 for cooperation with the wall of a container 2. The return spring 44 is calibrated so as to counteract this return torque of the shoe 47 under the effect of its weight. absence of container, the face 53 is close to the vertical axis 51 of the spout 21 through the stud 41 which pushes the face 52 under the force of the spring 44 The valve 35 comes into contact with the seat 37 and the spill channel 24 is closed A seal 54 is provided between the valve 35 and its seat 37 Also a seal 55 is provided around the valve stem 38 above the guide ring 46 to prevent leakage by the bore 39 On the left-hand part of FIG. 2, the shutter 34 is shown in the closed position. On the right-hand part of FIG. 2 and in FIG. 3, the shutter 34 is shown in the open position, the wall of a container 2 pushing the face 53 of the shoe 47 against the spring 44, the face 52 of the shoe 47, by its pivoting around

  the axis 49, pushing the pin 41 upwards.

  Furthermore, according to the invention, each metering valve 8 comprises a non-return valve 56 interposed between the discharge shutter 34 and the outlet channel 23 of the metering device 22, preventing the flow of the liquid in the direction of return to the reservoir. In the embodiment shown, this non-return valve 56 consists of a ball 56 placed in a housing 57 of the spill channel 24, and which cooperates with a horizontal seat 58 formed of a narrowing in a vertical portion. 59 of the discharge channel 24 The housing 57 is sufficiently extended upwards to allow the ball 56 to take off from the seat 58 under the pressure of the liquid coming from the metering device 22 In the absence of such pressure or in the event of a reverse pressure the ball 56 comes into contact with the seat 58 and automatically closes the discharge channel 24 A tapping 60 closed by a screw 61 is placed above the ball 56 to allow access to the housing 57. portion of the spill channel 24 which extends beyond the housing 57 to the spout 21 is of a diameter smaller than that of the ball 56 so

  to prevent it from escaping housing 57.

  According to the invention, the dispenser 22 is rigidly associated by its metering body 26 with respect to the valve body, but removably to allow the change of metering device 22 or the valve body 25 to do this, the valve body 25 is connected to the metering body 26 by means of a coupling 62 which comprises means 63 of rigid association removable to the frame 6 of the reservoir 7 And the coupling 62 forms a common fastening stirrup of the body 26 of doser and the body In this case, the connector 62 interposed between the valve body 25 and the doser body 26 has ribs 64 extending horizontally in a horizontal circumferential groove 65 of the valve body 25. and on the other side, in a horizontal peripheral groove 66 of the doser body 26. The ribs 64 bear against the horizontal walls of the grooves 65, 66 to hold the valve bodies 25, 26 and metering pressed against the neck 9 the peripheral body and the horizontal wall 38 of the frame 6 The valve body 25 has a bearing shoulder 67 on the peripheral ring 9 of the frame 6 and the metering body 26 has a bearing shoulder 68 on the horizontal wall 38 forming The valve body 25 also extends under the peripheral ring 9 through a slot 69 formed through this peripheral ring 9. The means 63 for detachably coupling the fitting 62 with respect to the frame 6 may consist of two screws 63 with head engaged through vertical bores formed in the connector 62, and whose threaded end cooperates with vertical threads 71 formed in the horizontal wall 38 of the frame 6 or in a nut or a spacer 72 rigidly associated with This frame 6 When the screws 63 are tightened in the threads 71, the connector 62 is pressed on the body 25 and 26 metering body 25 and 26 are supported on the ring 9 by the connector 62 and held in the lights 69 and 27 To remove the assembly, simply unscrew the two screws 63, and the metering valve 8 is in three parts: the body 25

  valve, connector 62, and metering device 22.

  According to the invention, the connector 62 comprises the non-return valve 56 previously described, that is to say the portion 59 of the spill channel 24, the housing 57 with the ball seat 58 and the ball 56 The spill channel 24 therefore crosses the connector 62 of an orifice 73 coming opposite the outlet orifice 74 of the outlet channel 23, to an orifice 75 coming opposite an orifice 76 of the

  spill channel 24 in the valve body.

  Sealing at these orifices can be achieved by means of o-rings 77, 78 placed in the

  25 tap body housing and 26 doser body.

  The dosing apparatus 1 according to the invention therefore comprises at least one and generally several metering valves 8 mounted on the frame 6 so that each metering device 22 has its sampling plunger 31 immersed in the liquid. The operation of each sampling plunger 31 is controlled at least partly from the movement of the means 3 for driving the containers according to the operating rate of these means 3 for driving More precisely, one of the movements of the plunger 31 in one direction, in particular the dosing movement is controlled from the movement of the drive means 3, while the other movement of the plunger 31 in the other direction, in particular the pumping movement is controlled from means 79 clean motors and integrated to each metering device 22 invention, the pumping movement of the sampling diver 31 is

  controlled by a return spring 79.

  To control the metering movement of the sampling plunger 31 from the drive means 3, each metering device 22 comprises a pad or roller 80 connected to the sampling plunger 31 via the transmission means 32, and the apparatus 1 metering device 81 includes a control cam 81 intended to cooperate with each pad or roller 80 to generate this metering movement The control cam 81 and the frame 6 are movable relative to each other in a relative movement generated by the

  movement of means 3 for driving containers 2.

  In the embodiment shown, the control cam 81 is rigidly associated with the frame 6 and this via means 82 for adjusting the distance that separates the control cam 81 from each of the metering units 22, that is to say The control cam 81 is associated rigidly fixed relative to the bracket 14 fixed support, but through the means 82 adjustment In the embodiment shown and according to the invention, the cam 81 of control is a generally circular cam whose range is helical which is rigidly associated with the guide bearing 13 of the extension 12 of the frame 6 above the metering devices 22 The adjustment means 82 consist of a vernier 82 formed of a micro thread metric 83 formed around the guide bearing 13 and a micro-metric thread 84 of a peripheral nut 85 to which the control cam 81 is rigidly associated Thus, by rotating the nut 85, it modifies ie the overall height of the control cam 81 relative to the metering device 22 and to the slider or roller 80. The amplitude of the stroke of the sampling plunger 31 in the liquid during the dosing movement and therefore the overall quantity is thus modified as desired. of liquid dosed with each movement This setting common to all the dosers 22 can be made possibly during operation and extremely accurately A radial locking screw 86 can lock the nut 85 relative to the guide bearing to prevent rotation

  untimely during operation.

  The plunger 31 of the metering device 22 is hollow, and its lower base is provided with the opening 33 for introducing the liquid into an internal sampling chamber 87 which communicates with the outlet channel 23 formed in the metering body 26. Sampling chamber 87 thus extends inside the metering body 26, from the introduction opening 33 to the lower end 88 of the outlet channel 23. This lower end 88 of the outlet channel 23 opens into a cylindrical guide housing 89 formed in the lower part 30 of the doser body 26 to guide the plunger

  31 in its reciprocating vertical translation movement.

  The sampling chamber 87 is therefore of variable volume depending on whether the plunger 31 is in the upper part of the housing 89, in contact with the lower end 88 of the outlet channel 23, or on the contrary that it is in the lower position. lower free end 90 of the doser body 26. The plunger 31 carries a shutter valve 91 of the opening 33 This valve 91 is arranged to be open in the direction of the movement generating the dosage, that is to say in the direction of descent of the plunger 31, and closed in the direction of movement causing pumping,

  that is to say in the direction of rise of the plunger 31.

  According to the invention, the shut-off valve 91 is of the type controlled by the pressure of the liquid generated by the reciprocating movement of the plunger 31 It consists of a shutter 91 mounted freely sliding relative to

  to the plunger 31 in the sampling chamber 87.

  Thus, in a metering device according to the invention, the plunger 31 is mounted vertically in translation relative to the metering body 26, and the motion transmission means 32 animate the plunger 31 in a reciprocating motion.

  vertical translation from bottom to top and from top to bottom.

  The sampling chamber 87 is disposed above the opening 33 for introduction and the closure valve 91 closes the opening 33 during the ascent of the plunger 31 and opens on its descent. The plunger 31 consists of a hollow plunger guided in the lower housing 89 which is formed in the metering body 26 at the lower end 88 of the outlet channel 23 communicating with the sampling chamber 87. The lower part of the hollow plunger 31 is constituted by a plug holder 92 which comprises a vertical cylindrical bore 93, and which is provided with an external thread screwed into a tapping 94 of the main cylinder 95 forming the plunger 31 The shutter 91 thus forms a plug for the bore 93 of the support In order to do this, the shutter 91 has a lower cylindrical portion 96 engaged in the bore 93 of the plug holder 92, and which has at least one passage channel 97 extending vertically in The lower cylindrical portion 96 is extended upwardly by a cylindrical upper portion 98 whose diameter is greater than the diameter of the bore 93 of the plug holder 92. The passage of the liquid between the bore 93 and the cylindrical portion 96. , so as to form a shoulder 99 with the lower cylindrical portion 96, shoulder 99 which comes into contact with the upper horizontal surface 100 of the support

  plug 92 to close the passage channel 97.

  The main cylinder 95 of the plunger 31 extends around the upper portion 98 of the shutter 91 upwards to form the lower part of the sampling chamber 87. The upper portion 101 of this main cylinder 95 is connected by radii to the lower free end 102 of a rod 32 forming the aforementioned transmission means These spokes of course define the vertical passage openings 103 of the liquid The upper part 98 of the shutter 91 moves inside the lower part of the the sampling chamber 87 between the lower free end 102 of

  the transmission rod 32 and the plug support 92.

  When the plunger 31 descends into the housing 89, the upper portion 98 of the shutter 91 rises until it comes into contact with the lower free end 102 of the transmission rod 32. In this position, the liquid passes through the opening 33 constituted by the transverse cross-section of the passage channel (s) 97 formed in the lower cylindrical portion 96 of the shutter 91 which slides in the bore 93. The liquid thus arrives in the lower part of the the sampling chamber 87, then passes through the openings 103 On the contrary, when the plunger 31 of sampling back up inside the housing 89, the upper portion 98 of the shutter 91 back down until the shoulder 99 comes into contact with the upper horizontal face 100 of the plug holder 92, the passage of the liquid being no longer possible,

  the opening 33 is thus closed.

  According to the invention, the metering device 22 comprises a leakage section between the sampling chamber 87 and the liquid in the reservoir 6, the value of which is smaller than the section of the opening 33 when the valve 91 is open. leakage section is smaller, for example less than one tenth of the section of the opening 33, and, in the embodiments shown, is achieved by the simple transverse clearance of the guide contact between the outer surface 104 of the plunger 31 and the guide surface 105 of the housing 89 of the lower part 30 of the metering body in which the plunger 31 slides. Thus, according to the invention, the plunger 31 for sampling does not comprise a seal or a sealing segment between its cylindrical outer surface 104 and the surface 105 of the cylindrical housing 89 which guides it From then on, a certain leakage is possible between the outer surface 104 of the plunger 31 and this surface of It has in fact been demonstrated that, surprisingly, the presence of this leakage in no way affects the precision or the reliability, on the contrary, of the measuring device 22 according to the invention. From the point of view of the In fact, it has been found that this leakage is constant in the dispenser 22 according to the invention, whatever the rate. From the point of view of reliability, the absence of a seal significantly increases the longevity of the dispenser. In addition, the passage of the liquid between the plunger 31 and

  its housing 89 has a certain lubricating effect.

  Moreover, this leak makes it possible to keep the doser 22 in operation even though the outlet channel 23 is

  closed, when the spill shutter 34 is closed.

  Indeed, during the pumping movement, with the plunger going upwards, if the pouring channel shutter 34 is closed, the liquid returns to the reservoir 6 by passing between the plunger 31 and its housing 89, which allows This maintaining said reciprocating movement makes it possible to carry out a permanent mixing of the liquid in the tank 6, even in the absence of containers, and to be able to synchronize the movement of the metering device 22 only with the training rate. containers 2, even when no container 2 is placed next to the metering valve 8 for exceptional reasons Thus, we do not have to take into account the presence or absence of a container 2 to operate and to determine the rate of

operation of the doser 22.

  The leakage section of the metering device 22 according to the invention may also be positively formed by channels provided either in the doser body 26 at its lower part 30 or along the guide surface 105 of this housing 89, or in and along the outer surface 104 of the plunger 31, either within the

  body of the main cylinder 95 and the plug holder 92.

  According to the invention a certain leakage must be possible for the passage of the liquid between the sampling chamber 87 and the reservoir 6 while the valve 91 is closed. Obviously, this leakage must be minimal and of very low value, particularly with respect to the opening 33 of normal introduction of the liquid during dosing It must nevertheless be sufficient to allow the rise of the plunger 31 under the effect of the spring 79, and this in time. The transmission means 32 comprise a vertical rod 32 rigidly associated with its lower free end 102 to the plunger 31 and extending upwards through the sampling chamber 87 and the outlet channel 23. The return spring 79 is a spring of compression which extends vertically around the rod 32 transmission, which is supported by its lower end 106 on a lower shoulder 107 integral with the body 26 metering, and which is supported by its upper end 108 on a shoulder 109 upper secured to

the transmission rod 32.

  The upper end 110 of the transmission rod 32 is associated with the slider or roller 80 of the metering device 22 intended to cooperate with the control cam 81 to cause the movement of the transmission rod 32 downwards. to him

  movement of the transmission rod 32 upwards.

  The metering body 26 consists of two parts extending axially vertically, namely a lower part 111 associated with the frame 6 of the tank, and an upper part 112 extending the lower part, the two parts 111 and 112 being associated rigidly to one another with a guide ring 113 interposed between these two parts 111, 112 for the transmission rod 32 The upper portion 112 extends above the guide ring 113 to form a sleeve for the spring The upper free end 110 of the transmission rod 32 is fixed by means of a screw 114 to a support 115 of the shoe 80. The support 115 of the shoe is extended downwardly by a skirt 116 which extends around the upper portion 112 of the metering body 26 which forms a sleeve for the compression spring 79 A guide ring 117 is interposed between the judge 116 and the outer surface of this upper portion 112 Thus, the rod 32 transmission is guided in its vertical translation relative to the body 26 of metering device through the guide ring 113 interposed between the lower portion 111 and upper 112, and the guide ring 117 interposed between the judge 116 of the support 115 skid and the upper portion 112 forming a sleeve for the compression spring 79 The support 115 of the shoe carries at its upper free end the shoe 80 which may also be in the form of a roller or other The length of the skirt 116 and the upper portion 112 forming a sheath for the compression spring 79 is defined as a function of the maximum vertical stroke that it is desired to give to the transmission rod 32 and the sampling plunger 31. From its lower end 102, the transmission rod 32 extends vertically upwards through the outlet channel 23, which it leaves via an orifice 118 of the lower part 111 of the metering body 26, provided with a seal 119 This orifice 118 is immediately extended by the guide ring 113 which is wedged in a cylindrical housing of the upper portion 112 The outlet channel 23 extends horizontally under the orifice 118 towards its orifice 74 of

outlet of the doser body 26.

  The cross-section of the sampling chamber 87 is larger than the section of the opening 33 for introducing a large suction of the liquid into the sampling chamber 87 during the descent of the plunger 31. cross section of the sampling chamber 87 is larger than the cross section of the lower end 88 of the outlet channel 23, and the cross section of this outlet channel 23 is decreasing from the sampling chamber 87 to its end 74 outlet of the doser body 26, so as to increase the speed of the liquid from the valve 91 to this outlet orifice 74 Also, the cross section of the orifice 73 of the connector 62 facing the orifice 74 of outlet channel 23 outlet is larger than the cross section of the nozzle 21 of liquid ejection metering valve 8 Thus, the speed of the liquid in the outlet channel 23 and in the channel 24 to release It is continuously or almost continuously increasing from the valve 91 of the feed opening 33 to the liquid ejection nozzle 21. The operation of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 On the left-hand part of FIG.

  container is placed under the spout 21 of the measuring valve 8.

  The shutter 34 spill is closed, and the check valve 56 On the right side of Figure 2, the pad 80 is lowered vertically due to its contact with the cam 81 control The compression spring 79 is crushed, the transmission rod 32 is lowered and the plunger 31 The valve 91 is open and the liquid enters the sampling chamber 87 through the opening 33 for introduction A container 2 being placed opposite the spout 21, the shoe 47 of control pushes the discharge shutter 34 which is open At the end of this metering step, when the control cam 81 rises vertically sharply relative to the shoe 80, the shoe 80 also rises under the control of the return spring 79 Thus, the upward movement of the shoe 80, the transmission rod 32 and the plunger 31 only depends on the restoring force of the spring 79 In this position shown in the left-hand part of FIG. 3, the valve 91 is closed. ee, and the upward movement pumps the liquid from the sampling chamber 87 to the nozzle 21 where it is ejected inside the container 2 via the non-return valve 56 which is open and the discharge shutter 34 which is open When the plunger 31 has traveled its entire vertical path in the housing 89, the ejection of the liquid through the spout 21 is complete, and the non-return valve 56 closes Then the container 2 is removed, and the metering valve 8 is found in the arrangement shown on the left-hand side

of Figure 2.

  The dispenser 22 according to the invention is therefore of great simplicity and of extreme efficiency from the point of view of the accuracy of its dosage and of its longevity. Moreover, the main cylinder 95 of the plunger 31 is associated with the end. lower free 102 of the rod 32 removably transmission, for example by means of a tapping 120 cooperating with a thread of this lower free end 102 can be easily changed the plunger 31 to replace it with a plunger whose The diameter of the introduction opening 33 and / or the sampling chamber 87 is smaller or greater. It is thus possible to vary the metered quantity of liquid. Moreover, this metered quantity of liquid also depends on the vertical stroke given to this plunger 31, that is to say the shape and position of the cam 81 of control relative to the

built 6.

  The metering device 22 could also extend in a manner that is not strictly vertical, or even horizontally, and the plunger 31 could be driven by a reciprocating movement of inclined or horizontal translation in the liquid. Alternatively, the plunger could be of the animated rotary type. reciprocating in rotation, the valve then closing a radial opening of a radial face relative to the axis of rotation of the plunger. Also, the metering apparatus 1 can be made with a single metering valve 8, and instead of providing the rotating frame 6 with respect to a control cam 81 which is stationary, it can be provided that this fixed control cam 81 is replaced by a rotary cam about a horizontal axis and which pushes the shoe 80 in the manner of a rocker arm This rotary cam can be synchronized to drive means or any other motor means.

Claims (37)

  1 dispenser for sampling successively and at a rate doses of liquid from a tank (7), comprising a body (26) of the dispenser intended to be fixedly mounted relative to the reservoir (7), characterized in that it comprises a plunger (31) movably mounted relative to the body (26) and intended to be immersed in the liquid, and means (32) for transmitting motion to animate the plunger (31) of a reciprocating movement in the generating liquid in a sense the dosage of a quantity   predetermined liquid, and in the other its pumping.   2 dispenser according to claim 1 characterized in that the plunger (31) is hollow, provided with an opening (33) for introducing the liquid into a sampling chamber (87) which communicates with a channel (23) of outlet in the metering body (26), and in that the plunger (31) carries a valve (91) for closing the opening (33) arranged to be open in the direction of the movement generating the metering and closed in the sense of movement causing pumping.   3 dispenser according to claim 2 characterized in that the valve (91) shutter is of the type controlled by the pressure of the liquid generated by the reciprocating motion of the diver (31).   4 dispenser according to any one of claims 2   and 3 characterized in that the shutoff valve (91) consists of a shutter (91) mounted freely sliding relative to the plunger (31) in the sampling chamber (87).   Dosing device according to any one of claims 2   at 4 characterized in that it comprises a leakage section between the sampling chamber (87) and the liquid in the reservoir (6), the value of which is less than the section of the opening (33), when the valve (91) is open and allows the reciprocating movement of the plunger (31) in the liquid to be maintained while the channel (23) of exit is closed.   Dosing device according to any one of claims 1   at 5 characterized in that the plunger (31) is constituted by a hollow plunger guided in a housing (89) which is formed in the metering body (26) at the end (88) of the channel (23) of exit communicating with the room (87) sampling.   7 dispenser according to claims 5 and 6 characterized   in that the leakage section is formed by the transverse play of the guiding contact between the outer surface (104) of the plunger (31) and the surface of the guiding (105) the housing (89).   8 dispenser according to any one of claims 1   to 7 characterized in that it comprises means (79) motor for creating the movement of the plunger (31) in at least one direction. 9 dispenser according to claim 8 characterized in that the means (79) motor create the movement of the plunger (31) only in one direction, the other direction of movement being transmitted from a movement created outside doser.   Dosing device according to any one of the claims   8 and 9 characterized in that the means (79) motor create the movement of the plunger (31) in the direction generating the dosage.   Dosing device according to any one of the claims   8 to 10, characterized in that the motor means (79) are   constituted by a return spring (79).   Doser according to any one of the claims   2 to 11 characterized in that the plunger (31) is mounted movable in vertical translation relative to the body (26) of the metering device, in that the means (32) for transmitting movement animate the plunger (31) with a movement alternating vertical translation from bottom to top and from top to bottom, in that the sampling chamber (87) is disposed above the opening (33), and in that the closure valve (91) closes the opening (33) during the ascent of the diver (31).   13 dispenser according to claim 12 characterized in that the means (32) for transmission comprise a vertical rod (32) rigidly associated with its lower free end (102) to the plunger (31) and extending upwardly through the chamber (87) sampling and the channel (23) output.   14 dispenser according to claim 13 characterized in that the upper end (110) of the rod (32) of transmission is associated with a pad or roller (80) for cooperating with a cam (81) control to generate the   movement of the transmission rod (32) downwards.   Dosing device according to claims 11 and 13 or 14   characterized in that the return spring (79) is a compression spring (79) extending vertically around the rod (32) which is supported by its lower end (106) on a lower shoulder (107) integral with the body (26) of the dispenser and its upper end (108) on a shoulder (109) upper   integral with the transmission rod (32).   Dosing device according to any one of the claims   2 to 15 characterized in that the cross section of the sampling chamber (87) is larger than the section   the opening (33) of introduction.   17 Dispenser according to any one of the claims   2 to 16 characterized in that the cross section of the sampling chamber (87) is larger than the section   cross section of the outlet channel (23).   Dosing device according to any one of the claims   2 to 17 characterized in that the cross section of the outlet channel (23) is decreasing from the sampling chamber (87) to its outlet end (74) of the metering body (26). 19 metering valve for sampling and discharging successively and in time predetermined quantities of liquid including aseptic liquid from a reservoir (7) in containers (2) placed successively and in rhythm under a spout (21) of this metering tap characterized in that it comprises at least one measuring device (22)   according to any one of claims 1 to 18 comprising   an outlet channel (23) which communicates with a discharge channel (24) in a faucet body (25) and opening out of the beak (21).   Metering valve according to claim 19 characterized in that the outlet channel (23) of the metering device (22) and the discharge channel (24) define a continuously rising or partially horizontal trajectory between the opening (33) for introducing the metering device (22) and the spout (21).   21 metering valve according to any one of   claims 19 and 20 characterized in that it comprises a   discharge shutter (34) interposed on the spill channel (24) and controlled at the opening when a container is facing the spout (21) and closed in the opposite case.   22 Metering valve according to claim 21 characterized in that the discharge shutter (34) is controlled at the opening by a movable control member (47) moved during the introduction of a container (2). facing the spout (21).   23 Metering valve according to any one of   claims 21 and 22 characterized in that the shutter   (34) is ordered at closing by a return spring (44).   24 Metering valve according to any one of   claims 19 to 23 characterized in that it comprises a   non-return valve (56) interposed between the discharge shutter (34) and the dispenser outlet channel (23), preventing the flow of liquid in the direction of return to tank (7).   Metering valve according to any one of   Claims 19 to 24 characterized in that the metering device (22)   is rigidly associated with the faucet body (25) but removably.   26 Metering valve according to any one of   Claims 19 to 25, characterized in that the body (25)   valve is connected to the body (26) of the dispenser by   via a connector (62).   Metering valve according to Claim 26, characterized in that the coupling (62) comprises means   (63) rigid association removable to the reservoir (7).   28 Metering valve according to any one of   Claims 26 and 27 characterized in that the coupling   (62) forms a common fixing bracket of the metering body (26) and the valve body (25) relative to the reservoir (7). 29 Metering valve according to claim 24 and one   any of claims 26 to 28 characterized in that   the fitting (62) comprises the non-return valve (56).   Dosing device for taking and successively discharging, at a rate, predetermined quantities of liquid, in particular aseptic liquid, into containers (2) driven successively and in rhythm by drive means (3), comprising a tank frame (6) ( 7) for the liquid characterized in that it comprises at least one measuring valve (8) according to one   any of claims 19 to 29 mounted on the frame (6)   so that each measuring device (22) has its plunger (31)   sampling immersed in the liquid.   31 Dosing device according to claim 30 characterized in that the operation of the plunger (31) is selected at least partly from the movement of means (3) for driving containers according to   the rate of these training means 3.   32 Dosing device according to claim 31 characterized in that a movement of the plunger (31) in one direction is controlled from the movement of the means (3) for driving the containers while the movement of the plunger (31) in the other direction is controlled from means (79) clean engines and integrated in each measuring device (22).   33 dosing device according to claim 32 characterized in that the pumping movement of the plunger (31) is controlled by a return spring (79).   34 Dosing apparatus according to any one of   claims 32 and 33 characterized in that the movement   dispensing the plunger (31) is controlled from the movement of the means (3) for driving the containers. Dosing apparatus according to any one of   Claims 31 to 34 characterized in that each metering device   (22) comprises a pad or roller (80) connected to the plunger (31) for sampling, in that it comprises a control cam (81) intended to cooperate with each pad or roller (80) to generate the dosing movement , and that the control cam (81) and the frame (6) are movable relative to each other in a relative motion generated by   the means (3) for driving the containers.   Dosing device according to claim 35, characterized in that the control cam (81) is rigidly associated with the frame (6) via means (82) for adjusting the distance between the control cam (81) and the control cam (81). dosing devices (22). 37 Dosing apparatus according to any one of   Claims 31 to 36, characterized in that the frame (6) of   tank (7) has projections (10) intended to be engaged in openings or openings of a movable member means (3) for driving containers for driving this frame (6) in motion.   38 Dosing apparatus according to any one of   Claims 35 to 37, characterized in that the cam (81)   command is associated fixed with respect to a fixed support (114).   39 Dosing apparatus according to any one of   Claims 30 to 38 characterized in that it is shaped   carousel, the tank (7) being in the lower central position, its frame (6) comprising a peripheral ring (9) supporting a plurality of taps   dosing devices (8) regularly distributed.   Dosing apparatus according to any one of   Claims 35 to 39 characterized in that the feeders   (22) extend vertically, in that the frame (6) is extended upwards by an extension (12) and in that the cam (81) of control is a circular cam rigidly associated with a guide bearing ( 13) extension (12) above the dosers (22).   41 A plant for the handling, treatment or series filling of containers such as bottles, characterized in that it comprises at least one apparatus for   assay according to any one of claims 30 to 40.   42 Installation according to claim 41 characterized in that the metering apparatus (1) is rigidly associated above a plate (3) of a rotating star input or output of a carousel of   handling, treatment or filling of containers.